Support for prosthetic hands



Sept. 4, 1951 s. s. ROCKLIN 65,

SUPPORT FOR PROSTHETIC HANDS Filed July 6, 1950' 3mmvtoms s. ROCKLIN Patented Sept. 4; 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT FOR PROSTHETIC HANDS Samuel S. Rocklin, Washington; D. 0.

Application July 6, 1950, Serial No. 172,369 3 Claims. era-12) (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

This invention relates to a prosthetic device and more particularly to a prosthetic hand having an adjustable support secured thereto to facilitate a writing operation.

In devices of this type heretofore devised it has been the usual practice for the prosthetic hand when carrying a writing implement to be supported in a writing position by the arm of the amputee. This involves considerable strain upon the arm and shoulder muscles and impedes the writing operation.

In accordance with the present invention this difficulty is overcome by the provision of a support secured to the articulated prosthetic member and adjustable to suit the need of the wearer, the support being provided with a rounded downwardly projecting portion for sliding engagement with a writing surface, as will more fully appear as the description proceeds.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a prosthetic hand having a support therefor for continuously engaging a writing surface during a writing operation.

Another of the objects is to provide a new and improved adjustable support for a prosthetic hand whereby the hand may be maintained continuously a predetermined distance above a writing surface while a writing operation is being performed.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. l is an elevational view of the device of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof applied to a prosthetic hand holding a pencil;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1 with the pencil removed;

Fig. 3 is a view of the support taken along the line of 3--3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a view partly in section and partly broken away of an alternative form of support.

Referring now to the drawing on which like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown thereon a prosthetic hand indicated generally by the numeral and employing the device of the present invention. The prosthetic hand comprises a finger l l secured in any well known manner to the arm portion 12 and provided with a bearing member 13 about which is pivotally secured a gripping finger l4 preferably provided with the usual arm l5 slotted as at Hi to receive amended April 30, v 1928 370 0. G. 757) a cord or cable by means of which finger I4 is manipulated. The fingers II and M are preferably curved substantially as shown and adapted to grip an implement or object such as the writing implement 11 by reason of the contraction of a band l8 composed of rubber or one of the synthetic varieties thereof disposed about the fingers in the manner illustrated. The bearing member l3, Fig. 3, is threaded upon a stud I9 threadedly engaged with the arm l4 and adapted to be locked thereto by the member I 3 aforesaid. The stud I9 is adapted to permit pivotal movement between the fingers H and I4 by reason of the clearance hole 2| provided in the finger M.

The lower portion of the stud I9 is recessed to receive a ball 22 formed on a stud 23, a locking member 24 threaded about the stud l9 being provided for securing the ball and stud 23 thereto in any desired angular position. Threaded about the lower portion of the stud 23 is a support 25 secured thereto as by the locking member 26, the lower portion of the support 25 being preferably rounded as of 21 and provided with an aperture 23 therein to receive a ball 29 projecting therefrom by reason of a spring 3| disposed between the ball and a recessed portion 30 within the sup port 25. By employing a locking member 24 preferably knurled in the manner disclosed, Fig. 1, an arrangement has been provided in which, if desired, the stud 23 and support 25 secured thereto may be removed when not in use by merely loosening and removing the locking member 24.

From the foregoing it will now be clearly apparent that a new and. improved adjustable support for a prosthetic hand has been provided which is adapted to adjust the position of the hand with respect to a writing surface when the ball 29 is in contact therewith and in which the angular position of the support with respect to the hand is also adjustable to suit the personal needs of the user.

On Fig. 4 is shown an alternative form of the device comprising a support 32 having a rounded and polished end portion 33 thereon adapted to engage and slide freely over the writing surface, the support being threaded as at 34 for engagement with the stud 23, Fig. 1. The locking member 26 is employed to retain the support 32 in an adjusted position.

While the invention has been described with reference to two examples thereof which give satisfactory results, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without 1. In a device of the character'disclosed for use by an amputee, in combination, a prosthetic hand comprising a pair of gripping members, means for pivotally supporting said gripping members,

means for continually urging said members into gripping relation about a writing implement, a"

supporting member secured to said pivoted support and having a smooth rounded surface por-'' tion at one extremity thereof for slideably engaging a writing surface, and means on-said support' ing member for adjusting theposition of said rounded surface portion with respect to said writing implement. I

2. In a device of the character disclosed for supporting a prosthetic hand during a writing operation thereof, the combination of a support secured to said hand and comprising a ball and socket member, means for loc'king said ball and socket member in any desired position with respect to the hand, a sleeve secured to said ball and socket inember and subjacent thereto when said hand is employed for writing, and a ball bearing disposed in the lowermost portion of said sleeve and extending therefrom for slidably engaging the writing surface.

3. In a device of the character disclosed for supportinga prosthetic hand during-a writing operation thereof, the combination of an elongated support having a well formed in one end portion thereof, a ball disposed for radial and axial movement within said well, means for retaining the ball within the well with a portion thereof projecting outwardly therefrom, means foryieldably urging the ball against said ball retaining means, and means including a ball and socket element secured to the support at the opposite end portion thereof and to said hand re.-

- spectively whereby the ball is adapted to engage and slide over a writing surface during a writing operation of the hand.

SAMUEL s. ROCKLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,303,304 Hauselmann May 13, 1919 1,423,296 Armstrong July L8, 1922 

